During the last week Chandra completed the observing schedule as
planned.

On Mar 5 the OCC supported DSN in a software test of new D-5 software
for use with the 26m dishes. The test was completed successfully.

Of note last week was the approval of a new mission planning model for
predicting radiation belt entry and exit times. The new Chandra
Radiation Model will allow more accurate predictions and is expected
to result in ~2 hours per week or ~375Ks per year of additional
observing time.

A Chandra press release was made on Mar 1 describing observations of
powerful X-ray sources found in nearby galaxies that may represent a
new class of objects. The sources, which are not as hot as typical
neutron-star or black-hole X- ray sources, could be a large new
population of black holes with masses several hundred times that of
the sun. For details see:
http://chandra.harvard.edu/press/04_releases/press_030104.html